Flexible molding strip having inserted decorative cord and furniture provided with such strips

ABSTRACT

A flexible ornamental or protective plastic molding strip has an inserted flexible decorative cord. The flexible molding strip which serves as a base strip has an exposed outer surface that is usually smoothly contoured but can, if desired, be provided with longitudinally extending depressed or projecting surface decoration. In the exposed surface are one or more longitudinally extending grooves. Into each groove is inserted a flexible decorative cord, preferably of a color selected to provide an appealing visual effect, usually a color which contrasts with the color of the base strip itself. The decorative cord can be easily inserted into the groove by pressing it into place either at the factory or at the job site, to harmonize with the decor. The cord can be removed and replaced at any time desired, yet will be held securely in the groove by its contact with the walls of the groove during normal use.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to flexible molding strips and more particularlyto a flexible molding strip used for protecting or decorating furnitureor appliances and to furniture utilizing such molding strips.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Flexible molding strips have been used for decorating and protectingvarious items as shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,590,754.However, there is no provision in the patent for enabling the decorativestrip to be customized to harmonize with the decor of the room or thefurniture. Consequently, it is not possible to add a feature that willcolor coordinate any molding strip to match the decor of the room or thefurniture. It has also been proposed to attach a strip of coloredpressure-sensitive tape to an article for decoration, but the proposedproduct is not sufficiently durable for commercial use on furniturebecause the decorative tape can be stripped away from the underlyingarticle. In addition, colored adhesive tape is relatively expensive andthe proper positioning of the tape on an article is a time consuming,labor intensive operation which has prevented such tape from being usedcommercially on furniture.

It has also been previously proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,120,110 toprovide a flexible decorative strip and to press-fit the decorativestrip directly into a rigid chair frame that is specially made withdovetail grooves on an exposed surface. This arrangement requires rigidchair frame members having an unusual custom-made form. This makes itunsuitable for a wide range of wooden furniture that lacks dovetailgrooves. In addition, the strip has only one piece and thus providesonly one color.

In contrast to the prior art, it is a major objective of the inventionto provide a decorative strip or base strip that can be attached to anyof a variety of furniture or appliance items and to provide anadditional ornamentation for the strip that can be used to achieve apleasing color effect or additional protection to prevent the decorativestrip from being damaged or marred.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a flexibledecorative strip with an ornamental surface member which is alsoflexible and which can be manually inserted and removed as required byworkmen on the job site to allow the decorative strip to harmonizebetter with the decor of the room in which it is to be used.

A more specific object is to enable a workman to add to a decorativestrip any of a variety of colors of flexible material for decorating thesurface of an ornamental molding strip so as to easily create any of avariety of different, pleasing visual effects with a minimum ofmaterial.

A further object is to provide a flexible decorative strip which can becustom color coordinated with the decor and which is still rugged inconstruction, low in cost, and can be readily assembled to provide anyof a variety of colors either at the factory or at the job site.

These and other more detailed and specific objects of the presentinvention will be better understood by reference to the followingfigures and detailed description which illustrate by way of example buta few of the various forms of the invention within the scope of theappended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides a flexible ornamental or protective moldingstrip having an inserted decorative cord. The flexible molding stripwhich serves as a base strip has an exposed outer surface that isusually smoothly contoured but can, if desired, be provided withlongitudinally extending depressed or projecting surface decoration. Inthe exposed surface are one or more longitudinally extending grooves.Into each groove is inserted a flexible decorative cord, preferably of acolor selected to provide an appealing visual effect, usually a colorwhich contrasts with the color of the base strip itself. The decorativecord can be inserted into the groove by easily pressing it into place,either at the factory or at the job site, to harmonize with the decor.The cord can be removed and replaced at any time desired, yet will beheld securely in the groove by its contact with the walls of the grooveduring normal use. The base strip and the inserted decorative cord canbe formed from any suitable flexible plastic material such aspolyethylene, flexible polyvinylchloride or polypropylene, as well asother well known plastic materials. Both the base strip and the insertedstrip are preferably formed in continuous lengths by extrusion moldingin any suitable manner known to those skilled in the art and packagedfor distribution in various lengths such as 250-foot coils.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view partly in section of a furniture itememploying a decorative molding strip in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 2--2 of FIG. 1 on alarger scale;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a decorative molding strip in accordancewith the invention shown the insertion of two ornamental cords intogrooves in the exposed surface of the strip;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a piece of decorative cord materialbefore use;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a decorative strip in accordancewith another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a decorative strip in accordancewith another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a decorative strip in accordancewith another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a decorative strip in accordancewith another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a decorative strip in accordancewith another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a decorative strip in accordancewith another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a decorative strip in accordancewith another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a decorative strip in accordancewith another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a decorative strip in accordancewith another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a decorative strip in accordancewith another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a decorative strip in accordancewith another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a decorative strip in accordancewith another embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of three different kinds of insertableornamental cords in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of another form of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 by way of example inconnection with a piece of furniture represented by a desk or countertop12. It will be understood, however, that the invention can be used withother kinds of furniture or electrical appliances, e.g., desks; chairs;conference tables; countertops such as countertops for reception areas,sales counters, mailrooms, etc.; kitchen, dining room and coffee tables;recreational vehicles; boats; as well as residential and commercialappliances. The term "furniture" herein is used broadly to include allitems of a general class including appliances of which the above itemsare examples.

The furniture item 12 is provided with a top 14 and a base portion 16.The top 14 has an outer peripheral edge 14b to which one of the flexibleprotective and decorative molding strips 10 in accordance with theinvention is applied. The molding strip 10 serves as a base strip and isformed from an elongated molded piece of flexible plastic resin defininga resinous body 18 with a flat concealed lower surface 25 that, duringuse, is placed in contact with the outer surface 14b of the furnitureitem 12. At the center of the lower surface 25 is an elongated,longitudinally extending, outwardly projecting integral connectingflange 20 having laterally extending retaining barbs 22. While theconnecting flange 20 provides a preferred method of fastening thedecorative molding strip 10 to the furniture item 12, it can be securedin place by other means as by means of fasteners such as tacks, staplesor adhesive (not shown). When the molding strip 10 is to be applied tothe furniture item 12, the connecting flange 20 is forced into anelongated groove 14a that extends the entire length of the exposed edge14b. This can be done by pressing flange 20 into the groove 14a manuallyor by hammering it into place. The pressure caused by compression of theretaining barbs 22 reliably secures the connecting flange 20 in placeand holds the decorative molding strip 10 against the edge 14b of thefurniture item 12, thereby helping to protect it from wear and abrasionas well as providing a very pleasing decorative function.

The molding strip 10 has an exposed surface 24 opposite from the flatlower surface 25 that is visible when the strip 10 is applied to thefurniture item 12. The term "outer" and "lower" are used broadly hereinin a relative sense with respect to one another. Extendinglongitudinally in the exposed surface 24 throughout the length of thebase strip 10 are one or more grooves 18a. The grooves 18a can have anysuitable cross-sectional configuration as, for example, V-shaped,heart-shaped, circular, etc., preferably with upper edges that definecentrally projecting rims.

Either at the factory or when the decorative strip 10 is to beinstalled, a second flexible strip member comprising a flexible cord 26,also formed from plastic resin, is inserted by being pressed into thegrooves 18a in the molding strip 10. The flexible plastic cord 26 issized appropriately for insertion into the groove 18a in the base strip10 and is preferably slightly larger than the groove itself to provide africtional fit or a snap fit into the groove 18a. The cord 26 can beinserted manually or forced into place by tapping it in with a hammer,either before or after the molding strip 10 is applied to the furnitureitem 12. However, in a typical application where installation is done ata job site, the cord 26 is inserted afterward. The cord 26 is held inthe groove 18a by contact with the walls of the groove and by the rimportions of the groove which partially encircle outer portions of thecord 26 to thereby physically enclose the cord 26 so as to reliably holdit in place.

Once the cord 26 has been inserted into the groove 18a as shown in FIG.2, a pair of connected flexible plastic strips 10 and 26 are provided.The molding strip 10 supports the cord 26 so that the cord has anexposed portion (visible in FIG. 1) to create a pleasing decorativeeffect or to assist in protecting the molding strip 10, e.g., fromabrasion. Where the cord 26 is to provide primarily a decorativefunction, it can be furnished in any of a variety of contrasting colorsto provide a pleasing decorative visual effect by harmonizing with thedecor of the furniture and the room in which the furniture is located.Where the cord 26 is to provide a protective function, it preferablyprojects outwardly from the surface 24 of the base strip 10 and can beformed, if desired, from a material that is harder than the moldingstrip 10 to enhance its ability to protect molding strip 10.

FIG. 3 illustrates the insertion of the cord 26 into the molding strip10. Insertion is preferably accomplished by pressing the cord 26 intothe grooves 18a progressively along the length of the strip 10, e.g.,from right to left as shown in FIG. 3.

The flexible insertable cord 26 comprises an elongated flexible body ofplastic resin, preferably formed by extrusion molding, and can be storedin coils in any of a variety of colors produced by using differentcolored plastic resins or, if desired, can be painted or coated, forexample by an electro-deposited metal coating such as a vacuummetallized coating of aluminum, or it can have other kinds of decorativecoatings known to the art.

Refer now to the remaining figures which illustrate modified forms ofthe invention wherein the same numerals refer to corresponding partsalready described. In FIG. 5, the decorative molding strip 11 isprovided with grooves 18b that are wider at the bottom than at the top.The cords 30 have a corresponding shape and are thus reliably held inplace by being dovetailed or rabbeted in the grooves 18b.

In one preferred form of the invention, the inner surface of thedecorative molding strip is not flat as depicted at 25 in FIGS. 1-4 butis provided with a longitudinally extending central concavity so thatside edge portions extend downwardly, i.e., away from the exposedsurface 24. In FIG. 6, for example, the decorative strip 30 is providedwith rounded longitudinally extending projections 34, 36 which projectdownwardly away from surface 24 so that the center portion 32 of thelower surface of the decorative strip 30 is elevated above the downwardprojections 34, 36. Thus, the longitudinal projections 34, 36 jutdownwardly from the center portion 32 of the lower surface.

Similarly, in FIG. 7 the longitudinal projections 34, 36 extenddownwardly below the center portion 32 of the lower surface of thestrip, but instead of being curved as in FIG. 6, they have an angularshape with an inclined centrally projecting surfaces.

In FIG. 8, the strip 35 is provided with longitudinally extendingprojections 34, 36 of still another shape including downwardly facing,centrally and upwardly inclined surfaces.

In FIGS. 9-11, the strips 37 all have a concave arcuate lower surface 32with downwardly projecting edge portions 34, 36 which extendlongitudinally.

Refer now to FIGS. 8 and 12 which illustrate the benefit provided by theraised center and downwardly projecting edge portions 34, 36. When thebody portion 18 of the base molding strip is fastened to the furnitureitem, the downwardly projecting edge portions 34, 36 will be deflectedupwardly by contact with the exposed surface 14b and will be displacedfrom the solid line position to the dotted line position B. This, inturn, produces a compressive force toward the center of the top surface24 at B' on each side of the strip. The centrally directed compressiveforce at B' helps to clasp or pinch the inserted cords 26 in the grooves18a so as to more securely hold them in place. The invention in this wayprovides a pinching effect for assuring more reliable retention of theflexible cords 26 in their respective grooves 18a.

Refer now to FIG. 9 which illustrates a decorative cord of a differentshape. As shown in FIG. 9, the base strip is provided with a pair oflaterally spaced apart grooves into which is placed a cord 40 having agenerally cylindrical lower portion and an enlarged head portion that isrounded on its upper surface with laterally extending shoulder portions42, 44 which overlap portions of the upper surface of the strip 37 oneither side of the groove.

FIG. 10 is similar except that the flexible cord 46, in this case, has alower portion 47 with a round cross-section and a curved upper portion46 having a lateral extension 48 that projects only on one side of thelower inserted portion 47 of the cord 46. In this case the cords 46 aremounted so that the projections 48 extend centrally, covering portionsof the upper surface 24 centrally of the grooves into which the cords 46are inserted.

FIG. 12 illustrates a variation in which three cords 26 are insertedinto grooves 18a in the top surface of the decorative strip 35.

FIG. 13 illustrates a variation in which two cords 26 are inserted intogrooves 18a in the surface 24, one groove 18a being offset and the otherbeing located at the center of the decorative strip 35.

FIG. 14 is similar to FIG. 13 except that only a single groove 18a isprovided in an offset location extending longitudinally of the basestrip 35.

FIG. 15 is like FIG. 13 except that only one centrally positioned groove18a is provided so that the cord 26 extends longitudinally of the basestrip 35 at the center of the exposed surface 24.

FIG. 16 shows a pair of dovetail grooves 52 in the exposed surface 24 ofa decorative strip 50. In the groove 52 at the right is a decorativecord 54 having head portion 56 and a longitudinally extending, inwardlyfacing integral connecting flange 60 which is provided with laterallyprojecting barbs 62.

At the center of FIG. 17 is shown another modified form of theinvention, in this case a cord 64 with a head 66 having a curved uppersurface that is offset with respect to a longitudinally extending,downwardly projecting connecting flange 68, also provided with retainingbarbs 69.

At the left in FIG. 17 is shown another form of cord 70 having a roundor rod-shaped body portion 72 and a downwardly projecting,longitudinally extending connecting flange 74. The connecting flanges ofany one of the cords 54, 64, 70 can be inserted into a groove withstraight side walls or a groove 52 with dovetail side walls as shown inthe base strip 50 of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 shows another molding strip 61 with a different form of cord 60and groove 62. The cord 60 in this case is hexagonal in cross-sectionwith flat upper and lower surfaces. The groove 62 is similarly shaped.The cord 60 at the right is sized to be flush with the surface of thestrip 61 while the cord 60a at the left projects above the surface ofstrip 61. The outwardly projecting, obliquely related side walls of thecord 60 which intersect at 60b and 60c help to hold the cord 60 in placein strip 61.

Other variations can be made in the invention. For example, thedecorative cord can have other suitable cross-sectional shapes and canhave an upper surface that is flush with the exposed surface 24 of thedecorative molding strip 10. It can also be recessed below the surface24, if desired, but this form is not preferred where the cord is toprovide a protective function.

The invention is strong, durable, and low in cost. The cords 26 can beeasily changed to provide color variations to match or contrast with thedecor or provide other interesting and pleasing visual effects. Inaddition, a workman can easily and quickly install the cords 26 at awork site or can remove the cords and replace them, when desired, toprovide a different effect. The installation kit carried by the workmanwill normally contain a number of coils of cord as shown in FIG. 4 in avariety of colors to suit different decorating requirements.

Many variations of the present invention within the scope of theappended claims will be apparent to those skilled in the art once theprinciples described herein are understood.

What is claimed is:
 1. A flexible protective or decorative molding stripfor furniture comprising,a first flexible strip member comprising anelongated base strip of flexible plastic resin having a lower surface tobe placed into contact with a surface of a furniture item, and saidstrip having an exposed outer surface that is visible when the basestrip is affixed to the furniture items, a groove formed in the exposedouter surface of the base strip and running longitudinally thereof, asecond flexible strip member comprising a flexible cord formed fromplastic resin that is sized for insertion in the base strip by beingpressed into the groove in the base strip, said cord, after beinginserted into the groove, forming a pair of connected flexible plasticstrips wherein the base strip supports the cord so that the cord has anexposed portion that is visible to create a pleasing decorative effector to assist in protecting the molding strip from abrasion, and theinsertable cord is circular in cross-section.
 2. A flexible protectiveor decorative molding strip for furniture comprising,a first flexiblestrip member comprising an elongated base strip of flexible plasticresin having a lower surface to be placed into contact with a surface ofa furniture item, and said strip having an exposed outer surface that isvisible when the base strip is affixed to the furniture item, a grooveformed in the exposed outer surface of the base strip and runninglongitudinally thereof, a second flexible strip member comprising aflexible cord formed from plastic resin that is sized for insertion inthe base strip by being pressed into the groove in the base strip, saidcord, after being inserted into the groove, forming a pair of connectedflexible plastic strips wherein the base strip supports the cord so thatthe cord has an exposed portion that is visible to create a pleasingdecorative effect or to assist in protecting the molding strip fromabrasion, and groove is generally V-shaped in configuration.
 3. Aflexible protective or decorative molding strip for furniturecomprising,a first flexible strip member comprising an elongated basestrip of flexible plastic resin having a lower surface to be placed intocontact with a surface of a furniture item, and said strip having anexposed outer surface that is visible when the base strip is affixed tothe furniture item, a groove formed in the exposed other surface of thebase strip and running longitudinally thereof, a second flexible stripmember comprising a flexible cord formed from plastic resin that issized for insertion in the base strip by being pressed into the groovein the base strip, and said cord, after being inserted into the groove,forming a pair of connected flexible plastic strips wherein the basestrip supports the cord so that the cord has an exposed portion that isvisible to create a pleasing decorative effect or to assist inprotecting the molding strip from abrasion, and the cord has an enlargedhead.
 4. The molding strip of claim 3 wherein the enlarged head has arounded exposed surface and the cord includes a downwardly extendingconnecting flange that projects from the head of the cord.
 5. Themolding strip of claim 4 wherein said head portion of the cord is offsetwith respect to the connecting flange.
 6. A flexible protective ordecorative molding strip for furniture comprising,a first flexible stripmember comprising an elongated base strip of flexible plastic resinhaving a lower surface to be placed into contact with a surface of afurniture item, and said strip having an exposed outer surface that isvisible when the base strip is affixed to the furniture item, a grooveformed in the exposed outer surface of the base strip and runninglongitudinally thereof, a second flexible strip member comprising aflexible cord formed from plastic resin that is sized for insertion inthe base strip by being pressed into the groove in the base strip, andsaid cord, after being inserted into the groove, forming a pair ofconnected flexible plastic strips wherein the base strip supports thecord so that the cord has an exposed portion that is visible to create apleasing decorative effect or to assist in protecting the molding stripfrom abrasion, and the cord has a rod-shaped head portion and alongitudinally extending connecting flange portion extending downwardlytherefrom.
 7. A flexible molding strip for a product comprising,a firstflexible strip member comprising an elongated base strip of flexibleplastic resin having a lower surface to be placed into contact with asurface of the product, and said strip having an exposed outer surfacethat is visible when the base strip is affixed to the product, a grooveformed in the exposed outer surface of the base strip and runninglongitudinally thereof, a second flexible strip member comprising aflexible cord formed from plastic resin that is sized for insertion bybeing pressed into the groove in the base strip, said lower surface hasan elevated central portion and downwardly projecting edge portionsextending longitudinally along spaced apart side edges thereof wherebythe mounting of the molding strip onto said surface of said product willcause edge portions of the molding strip to be deflected upwardly toprovide a centrally directed compressive force on the exposed uppersurface of the molding strip, and the flexible cord has a hexagonalcross-sectional shape with outwardly projecting side walls thatintersect at an oblique angle.
 8. A flexible molding strip for a productcomprising,a first flexible strip member comprising an elongated basestrip of flexible plastic resin having a lower surface to be placed intocontact with a surface of the product, and said strip having an exposedouter surface that is visible when the base strip is affixed to theproduct, a groove formed in the exposed outer surface of the base stripand running longitudinally thereof, a second flexible strip membercomprising a flexible cord formed from plastic resin that is sized forinsertion by being pressed into the groove in the base strip, said lowersurface has an elevated central portion defining a longitudinallyextending central concavity and downwardly projecting edge portionsextending longitudinally along spaced apart side edges thereof wherebythe mounting of the molding strip onto said surface of said product willcause edge portions of the molding strip to be deflected upwardly toprovide a centrally directed compressive force on the exposed uppersurface of the molding strip.
 9. A flexible protective or decorativemolding strip for furniture comprising,a first flexible strip membercomprising an elongated base strip of flexible plastic resin having alower surface to be placed into contact with a surface of a furnitureitem, and said strip having an exposed outer surface that is visiblewhen the base strip is affixed to the furniture item, a groove ispresent in the exposed outer surface of the base strip and runslongitudinally thereof, a second flexible strip member comprising aflexible cord formed from plastic resin that has a round cross-sectionand is sized for insertion in the base strip by being pressed to thegroove in the base strip, the groove terminates upwardly in laterallyspaced parallel upper edges that define centrally projecting rims, thegroove has walls that approach one another above the cord to partiallysurround the cord, the cord is held in place by contact with the wallsof the groove beneath the rims of the groove and the rims extend overportions of the cord to thereby physically enclose the cord so as tohold the cord in place within the groove, said cord, when inserted intothe groove, forms a pair of connected flexible plastic strips whereinthe base strip supports the cord so that the cord has an exposed portionthat is visible to create a pleasing decorative effect or to assist inprotecting the molding strip from abrasion.
 10. The molding strip ofclaim 9 wherein the cord is removably and interchangeably mountable insaid groove whereby the cord can be installed and removed or replaced asdesired to provide different effects.
 11. The molding strip of claim 9wherein the groove and the cord have a similar cross-sectional shape andthe cord contacts an inside surface of the groove.
 12. The molding stripaccording to claim 9 wherein the groove is a dovetail groove that iswider at the bottom than at the top and the cord is held removably inplace in the groove by contact with walls of the dovetail groove. 13.The molding strip of claim 9 in combination with a furniture articlehaving a surface with an elongated slot therein,the molding strip ismounted upon the surface having the slot therein, and the connectingflange is engaged within the slot in the furniture article.
 14. Aflexible protective or decorative molding strip for furniturecomprising,a first flexible strip member comprising an elongated basestrip of flexible plastic resin having a lower surface to be placed intocontact with a surface of a furniture item, and said strip having anexposed outer surface that is visible when the base strip is affixed tothe furniture item, a groove is present in the exposed outer surface ofthe base strip and runs longitudinally thereof, a second flexible stripmember comprising a flexible cord formed from plastic resin that has around cross-section and is sized for insertion in the base strip bybeing pressed into the groove in the base strip, the groove terminatesupwardly in laterally spaced parallel upper edges that define centrallyprojecting rims, the groove has walls that approach one another abovethe cord to partially surround the cord, the cord is held in place bycontact with the walls of the groove beneath the rims of the groove andthe rims extend over portions of the cord to thereby physically enclosethe cord so as to hold the cord in place within the groove, said cord,when inserted into the groove, forms a pair of connected flexibleplastic strips wherein the base strip supports the cord so that the cordhas an exposed portion that is visible to create a pleasing decorativeeffect or to assist in protecting the molding strip from abrasion, themolding strip has a longitudinally extending connecting flangeprojecting downwardly from the lower surface thereof for fastening thedecorative strip to said furniture, and the lower surface of the moldingstrip has an elevated central portion from which the connecting flangeextends whereby the mounting of the molding strip onto said surface ofsaid furniture item will cause edge portions of the molding strip to bedeflected upwardly to provide a centrally directed compressive force atthe exposed upper surface of the molding strip for pinching the cord inthe groove.